As I Travel

Pianist Donald Vega's latest album As I Travel is a captivating musical memoir in which, through an intricate blend of melodies and harmonies, he weaves a heartfelt narrative which pays homage to the familial and communal influences that have shaped his artistic journey. Accompanying him on this excursion are drummer Lewis Nash, bassist John Patitucci and percussionist Luisito Quintero, each of whom brings impressive credentials with him.

All nine compositions on this release were composed and arranged by Vega, starting with the opening track "i Baila! Dance Like No One's Watching." With Nash and Quintero playing with a boisterous rhythmic beat, Vega's piano dances with athletic precision and mesmerizing self-possession. The title track, "As I Travel," follows along snugly with a laid-back Latin touch. Vega's bright sound and inquisitive playing bring the number to life.

Throughout the album, Vega's technical prowess is evident as he effortlessly navigates intricate technical passages and arrangements, demonstrating a profound understanding of the instrument's nuances. In "I Know You Can Fly," his sure-handed approach and pattern of tonal contrasts has a beauty all its own. Patitucci, in his solo, slides through each note with structural perfection. Tracks such as "Alegria" and "Disturbios" exude a remarkable fluidity, seamlessly transitioning between contemplative introspection and buoyant exuberance, responding to the rhythms and melodies of the compositions.

The album smoothly transitions to ballad mode with the piece "Isabel-The Enchanting Nature of You." With unfailing support from the big-toned bass of Patitucci, Vega approaches the number in a reflective, pensive way, demonstrating his versatility as a performer and his ability to invoke a wide range of emotions through his music. The two closing tracks are "Dear Mayra" and "Beautiful Ladies," each a sonic portrait which channels into a cohesive musical narrative and completes the celebration of Vega's artistic evolution.

With this album, one is immediately immersed in highly structured Jazz. It must be said that the musicians featured on this album are all equally fascinating – Lewis Nash (drums), John Patitucci (bass), and Luisito Quintero (percussion).

The story behind “As I Travel” began long before the album was conceived as an idea. At the age of 14, guided by his mother, who had already started the process of moving to America to pave the way for her family, Vega fled the civil war in Nicaragua and immigrated to the United States. “This album tells an American story,” says Vega. “The subject of immigration has been debated in the United States since its foundation. Regardless of where you stand, every immigrant’s story is unique, full of hope, and often sorrow.”

The strength of his story is found in this album, in the form of journeys, melodies that sometimes feel familiar, which are merely a reflection of this shared artistic consciousness that captures sounds from wherever they come and reinterprets them in different forms, on the fly, shaping a work of art. During his early years in America, Vega spoke little to no English, and his primary form of intercultural communication was through music. This multifaceted reliance and joyful liberation that Vega found in music pushed him to deepen his passion for the discipline and art, eventually allowing him to study at the Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School.

Just by the titles of this album, you embark on a journey, even an invitation to travel. The richness of Vega’s music is that of every migrant in the land of the USA – the ability to overlay their own culture on an artistic quest that encompasses that of the host country. The same applies to all other forms of art for every artist who arrives here.

This album is fascinating in all these aspects, thanks to Donald Vega’s rhythmic and melodic sensibility. It easily takes us to the end of this album, making it clear that if, like the editors of Bayou Blue Radio and Paris-Move, you appreciate spicy and well-structured jazz, you’ll understand why we consider it an “Essential.”

Acclaimed pianist and composer Donald Vega may best be known as the pianist in Ron Carter’s Golden Striker Trio. But this is the fourth time he has stepped out as a leader with his own project.

As I Travel is an autobiographical suite of compositions that traces Vega’s emigration to U.S. from Nicaragua from the age of 14, fleeing from the country’s civil war, and following in his mother’s footsteps. So, this is an immigration story conveyed through music about Vega who initially spoke little English and had difficulty communicating his ideas to one who studied at the Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard.

Studying directly with such figures as John Clayton, Billy Higgins, and Kenny Barron, Vega began to shape his vision in those early years to attain the lofty status he carries today, recently selected as a Guggenheim Fellow, which helped him complete this album. Today Vega is also a faculty member at The Juilliard School and Hofstra University and sits on the board of Back Country Jazz, a non-profit organization which provides music education programs and performances to underprivileged youth.

Assisting Vega is drummer Lewis Nash, who has now appeared on all four of Vega’s solo albums. This time joined by John Patitucci (bass) and Luisito Quintero (percussion). Ultimately this is a celebratory album with Vega expressing his gratitude for those who have helped him on his journey and extending compassion and hope to those who struggle to find their own identity. The album title is a nod to Vega’s personal development Intellectually, musically, and emotionally.

Beginning with “Baila! Dance Like No One’s Watching.” Quintero’s percussion signals a joyous occasion and Vega’s inspired flight through the keys is his way of nodding to the Nicaragua culture, which though saddled with poverty, has its people often celebrating every small victory. He sees this attitude in his son too and dedicates the piece accordingly.  The lyrical title track is more reflective in tone and “I Know You Can Fly” is a lilting, melodic tune that somehow conjures carefree youth. “Tomorrows II” is a reworking of the title track of his 2008 debut album of the same name.  It’s an alternately rousing and pensive tune, conveying hope and optimism based on his own story which may have taken on some embellishment through the years – “The story gets told a lot that I came to this country at the age of 14 on the 4th of July. The truth is, I don’t recall the exact date or year,” Vega admits. “…but it’s a nice idea isn’t it? That America was celebrating another year at the same time I was crossing the border to start a new chapter in my life.”

“Alegria” plays true to the word’s English translation – “joy” while “Disturbios” is understandably darker and dramatic in the first section and features outstanding bass playing by Patitucci, the piece later expressing more optimism and hope, in keeping with the album theme. The last three tracks honor females and display Vega’s trademark romantic lyricism beginning with “Isabel- The Enchanting Nature of You,” followed by “Dear Myra” for his mother who paved his way to America and provided for his early classical piano training in his native country. Purposely, there are some unrelenting sections in this piece, to convey his mother’s steadfast will to rise above any obstacle in her way.  Patitucci shines again here with his pizzicato runs. The closer “Beautiful Ladies” swings with unabashed joy.

Vega’s As I Travel is beautifully rendered and emotionally uplifting. Even the pensive moments pass quickly as Vega consistently expresses positivity and gratitude.

Musically, Vega puts storytelling at the forefront of his compositions. Whether through pleasing melodies or idyllic harmonies, Vega infuses his time on the bandstand into every note and rest he performs. More than mere pitch and rhythm, Vega carries with him the compassion and kindness carried from his wealth of varied experiences in each performance. “My music comes from a place of love… This album is a celebration of friends and family and all the experiences and memories that make us who we are,” Vega says. “I hope [listeners] feel all those things and bring that level of love and compassion back to their own families and lives. Wouldn’t that be great?”

An album with such a high-caliber vision requires a band of equal caliber to pull it off, and Vega assembled a perfect (and star-studded) cast for the task. As I Travel boasts the presence of Lewis Nash on drums, John Patitucci on bass, and Luisito Quintero on percussion. In addition to the wealth of experience and unparalleled accolades of such a crew, Vega specifically praises the band’s versatility. With a body of work that regularly and seamlessly flows between Latin and Swing idioms, such a level of musicianship and interconnected trust was a prerequisite for success. “[The band] 100% brought their experience and musicality to the table in the recording and As I Travel is better because of it,” says Vega.

With As I Travel, Vega presents an artistic statement that stands as a profound monument to the human spirit. Uniquely creative yet universally appealing, Vega blends with seemingly effortless command a myriad of traditions into a brilliantly unified whole that bespeaks a story worth telling and a tale worth hearing.

Pianist and composer Donald Vega crafts an elegant sonic autobiography with As I Travel. An ode to the family and community that empowered him on the physical and metaphorical journey to where he is today.

A recording with such high-caliber vision and carefully crafted compositions requires a band of aces to pull it off. Vega assembled a perfect cast for the task. With a body of work that flows between Latin, Swing and Classical idioms, such highly refined levels of musicianship and interconnected trust are a must.